What causes a pseudoaneurysm? Should a pseudoaneurysm always be treated?

Answer From Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D.

A pseudoaneurysm occurs when a blood vessel wall is injured. Blood leaking from the vessel collects in surrounding tissue. It is sometimes called a false aneurysm. It also may be called pseudoaneurysm of the vessels.

In a true aneurysm, the vessel wall weakens and bulges. It sometimes forms a blood-filled sac. But the vessel wall is not injured.

A pseudoaneurysm may be a complication of cardiac catheterization. This procedure is commonly used to view blood flow through the heart. It can show blockages in the heart arteries. During the procedure, a doctor places a long, thin flexible tube called a catheter in a blood vessel, usually in the groin or wrist. It's guided to the heart. If blood leaks and gathers outside the artery where the catheter is placed, a pseudoaneurysm can form.

Pseudoaneurysms also can occur in other arteries throughout the body as a result of:

  • Infection.
  • Rupture of an aneurysm.
  • Surgery.
  • Trauma.

A small pseudoaneurysm of a femoral artery due to cardiac catheterization may never been found. It may not cause any complications. The femoral artery is a large blood vessel in the thigh. It sends blood to the lower part of the body. Some people have mild swelling in the thigh area. You may not notice it until days or weeks after the procedure.

If you have a small pseudoaneurysm, your health care provider may recommend regular medical checkups and an occasional ultrasound test to see if it goes away on its own.

You may need other treatments if the pseudoaneurysm is wider than 2 centimeters (about 3/4 inch) or if you take certain medicines, such as blood thinners. Treatment for pseudoaneurysm may include:

  • Ultrasound-guided compression repair. Ultrasound uses sound waves to show blood flow in the body. Once the pseudoaneurysm is found, the healthcare professional presses the ultrasound wand onto the area. The pressure releases the built-up blood.
  • Ultrasound-guided medicine delivery. An ultrasound test is done to find the pseudoaneurysm. A medicine called thrombin is then injected into the pseudoaneurysm. It helps prevent the pseudoaneurysm from growing or bursting.
  • Surgery. Sometimes, ultrasound-guided treatment isn't helpful or recommended. Surgery may be needed to correct the pseudoaneurysm.

If you've had any type of catheter procedure and notice tenderness or swelling in the area, contact your healthcare professional.

With

Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D.

Sept. 25, 2024 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Angina treatment: Stents, drugs, lifestyle changes — What's best?
  2. Aortic calcification: An early sign of heart valve problems?
  3. Aortic valve regurgitation
  4. Aortic valve stenosis
  5. Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis
  6. Atrial flutter
  7. Atrial septal defect (ASD)
  8. Atrioventricular canal defect
  9. Blood tests for heart disease
  10. Mitral valve clip to treat mitral regurgitation: Bob's story
  11. Mitral valve overview
  12. Jack Long — Live LONG - Beat STRONG to find a cure
  13. A leaky tricuspid valve
  14. Leaky valve cone procedure
  15. Mayo Clinic offers congenital heart care: Marcus' story
  16. Mitral valve disease in children
  17. Video: Septal myectomy and apical myectomy
  18. Valve problems in children with heart disease: What patients and families should know
  19. Calcium supplements: A risk factor for heart attack?
  20. Can vitamins help prevent a heart attack?
  21. Cardiac asthma: What causes it?
  22. Cardiac catheterization
  23. Cardiac sarcoidosis
  24. Cardiogenic shock
  25. Cardiomyopathy
  26. Kinser's story
  27. Chelation therapy for heart disease: Does it work?
  28. Chest pain
  29. Coarctation of the aorta
  30. What are congenital heart defects? An expert explains
  31. Congenital heart defects in children
  32. Congenital heart disease in adults
  33. Congenital heart defects FAQs
  34. Coronary artery disease
  35. Coronary artery disease: Angioplasty or bypass surgery?
  36. What is coronary artery disease? A Mayo Clinic cardiologist explains.
  37. Coronary artery disease FAQs
  38. Daily aspirin therapy
  39. Dilated cardiomyopathy
  40. Drug-eluting stents
  41. Drummer Beats Heart Disease
  42. Ebstein anomaly
  43. ED Drugs for Pulmonary Hypertension
  44. Eisenmenger syndrome
  45. Enlarged heart
  46. Fasting diet: Can it improve my heart health?
  47. Flu Shot Prevents Heart Attack
  48. Flu shots and heart disease
  49. Four Steps to Heart Health
  50. Genetics and Cardiomyopathy
  51. Grass-fed beef
  52. Healthy Heart for Life!
  53. Heart and Blood Health
  54. Heart attack
  55. Heart attack prevention: Should I avoid secondhand smoke?
  56. Heart attack symptoms
  57. Heart Attack Timing
  58. Heart disease
  59. Heart disease in women: Understand symptoms and risk factors
  60. Heart failure
  61. Heart failure and sex: Is it safe?
  62. Heart-healthy diet: 8 steps to prevent heart disease
  63. Heart murmurs
  64. Hidden Heart Attack
  65. Holiday Heart
  66. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  67. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy HCM
  68. Menus for heart-healthy eating
  69. Mitral valve disease
  70. Mitral valve prolapse
  71. Mitral valve regurgitation
  72. Mitral valve stenosis
  73. Myocarditis
  74. NSAIDs: Do they increase my risk of heart attack and stroke?
  75. Nuts and your heart: Eating nuts for heart health
  76. Omega-3 in fish
  77. Omega-6 fatty acids
  78. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
  79. Patent foramen ovale
  80. Polypill: Does it treat heart disease?
  81. Pulmonary atresia
  82. Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum
  83. Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect
  84. Pulmonary edema
  85. Pulmonary hypertension
  86. Pulmonary valve stenosis
  87. Red wine, antioxidants and resveratrol
  88. Robotic heart surgery treats mitral regurgitation: Ed's story
  89. Robotic or minimally invasive cardiac surgery for adult-adolescent congenital heart disease
  90. SCAD 2 Social Media as a Lifesaving Link
  91. Silent heart attack
  92. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)
  93. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)
  94. Heart disease prevention
  95. Tetralogy of Fallot
  96. Tetralogy of Fallot
  97. Transposition of the great arteries
  98. Tricuspid valve regurgitation
  99. Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
  100. Video: Heart and circulatory system
  101. Mitral valve regurgitation
  102. Heart failure action plan